Any number of statistics could make his point. Instead, DeMarcus Ware chose a moment to explain why the Broncos’ current defensive line deserves to be considered among the franchise’s all-time greatest.
Jogging his memory last week, Ware identified the week of practice after the humbling 22-7 loss to the St. Louis Rams as the tipping point. Tre Mason became the first running back to rush for 100 yards against the Broncos, an indignity that triggered change.
“We were letting (our) running backs in practice get through the line before we tackled them after 2 yards. After that game, we made it clear we want to stop them behind the line,” Ware explained, voice raising for emphasis. “They weren’t getting through the line anymore. Yeah, they get (upset). There have been some scuffles. That’s the mentality we need. We can’t turn the switch off. It has to stay on.”
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The Broncos boasted about their added toughness and nastier attitude last spring. It rings hollow without numbers in a “be about it, don’t talk about it” league. No longer does Peyton Manning define the Broncos. He remains on pace for 42 touchdown passes at age 38, but Denver has proved it can win without his best.
Scoring points creates goose bumps. Preventing them creates championships. The Broncos’ biggest strength, 14 games into the season, arguably lies in their defensive line, starting with young, ascending players, and only Ware’s age the outlier.
Denver allows 71.6 yards rushing per game, second best in the NFL to the Detroit Lions (63.8). The 1998 Super Bowl title team owns the franchise’s top mark at 80.4 yards.
“Really, everything you do starts up front, whether you are on offense or defense. No doubt that they have played well in run and pass situations,” coach John Fox said. “I couldn’t argue against that (they are among the best).”
In an evolving league that spawns subjectivity, beauty exists in the eyes. But the film doesn’t lie. Opponents have started 168 drives against the Broncos this season. Of those, 51 have ended in three-and-outs. The 30.4 percent threshold leads the NFL. The Broncos have 38 sacks, ranking seventh overall, and are nine away from cracking the franchise’s top five.
Stopping the run requires commitment, scheme and athleticism. The Broncos feature a stuffer in Terrance Knighton, who attracts double-teams, an improving brute in Sylvester Williams and quality depth from Marvin Austin and Mitch Unrein. Defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson rank among the elite in production per play, with Jackson providing a legitimate third pass rusher. Von Miller and Ware tackle in the run game, while creating steady pressure on the quarterback.
“We have guys who can move, guys who are physical, guys who are smart,” linebacker Brandon Marshall said. “I have never played with a line like this before.”
In tracing reasons for the Broncos’ success, trust emerges. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio puts the players in position to perform but allows for freelancing, freedom earned through practice and film study.
“I always talk about the fact that I am going to be standing behind the white line and they are out there playing. So we want to build an understanding of the principles we are looking for, but we don’t want them to be robotic,” Del Rio said. “They’ve had to play off each other.”
One play at San Diego illustrated the confidence. Knighton found a front to his liking, but Jackson tipped him that the guard was pulling, so he was abandoning his technique and shooting the “A” gap. Jackson made a monster play in the backfield because Knighton covered him. Instances like this have become increasingly common over the last month.
“That comes from believing in each other, knowing each other,” Jackson said. “Sometimes you get asked to do something you don’t want, but you do what’s best for everyone.”
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The common thread among the linemen: team first, not me first. Beginning in April, the identity began taking shape. The fence would only be as strong as its weakest link. Or as Knighton explained, leaning on Greek mythology: “We are the front line. Like the movie ‘300’ where he says you have to be able to hold your shield a certain way. It’s not about you, it’s about the guy next to you. We all buy in. We all know, with great team success comes individual success.”
This requires patience, ego deflation and a wide prism view. Spend five minutes in the back of the Broncos’ locker room at Dove Valley, and it’s easy to see the fellowship.
“Once people put the jealousy aside and play for each other, it takes off. We aren’t a bunch of showboating guys who are trying to make somebody look bad or outshine somebody else,” Wolfe said. “We want to win.”
Knighton insists it begins in practice, in which spirited sessions are graded. It carries into games, when analysis happens in real time on the scoreboard.
“We have unique players with unique personalities. We don’t take (stuff) from any offensive line. We look up during the game, and if a team has 50 yards rushing in the second quarter, we are disappointed,” Knighton said. “If you are selfish in this group, for one, we will weed you out, or for two, we will just kick your (tail). We take pride in playing together and accomplishing our goals as a unit.”
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
